Son of Late Mo. Gov. Starts Congress Bid

The son of the late Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan and former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan launched a bid Wednesday to fill the congressional seat being vacated by presidential hopeful Dick Gephardt.

State Rep. Russ Carnahan, speaking before supporters in a St. Louis park, called the campaign "an opportunity whose time has come."

His mother sat in the crowd, smiling. "I think he can make a great contribution," she said. "He hasn't asked me for advice yet."

Gephardt, the former House minority leader, is not seeking re-election in 2004 as he bids for the White House.

The 3rd Congressional District encompasses the St. Louis area. Besides the 44-year-old Carnahan, candidates include state Sen. Steve Stoll and St. Louis Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza, both Democrats, and Republican Bill Federer.

Carnahan's father was Missouri governor for seven years until he died in a plane crash in 2000 while challenging then-U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft.

Voters chose Mel Carnahan knowing his widow would take his place, but elected Republican Jim Talent over Jean Carnahan when she ran to finish out the term last year.